Thursday, March 27, 2014

Save the date! The 4th Annual Flats & Handwashing challenge is right around the corner!

Whether you're new to the cloth diapering community or you've been around for a while, it's that time of year! We get to discuss the upcoming annual challenge from Dirty Diaper Laundry.


I will admit, the first year this began, I initially scoffed at the idea. Excuse me? A challenge to hand wash diapers, and flats, at that?

Turns out, there's a back-story for this challenge and it makes perfect sense in context. Kim Rosas started this challenge as a way to prove to herself that if the situation was ever dire enough, she could and would successfully have a way to diaper her children, even in less than ideal circumstances. At the time, the media was reporting on diaper need and how many people were reusing disposable diapers or letting their babies sit in the diapers for far too long yet never considering cloth.  And thus, the flats and handwashing challenge was born!

Why flats? Because flats are the easiest to get clean and they are generally the most inexpensive diaper you can buy. In fact, flats can be made out of many things, including tshirts, "flour sack towels" - anything that is one layer of cloth that gets folded down to use as a diaper. This is the type of  diaper most of our grandmothers used. 

Hemp Babies Flat Weeds diaper

This year, the date has been set for May 11th through 17th. I'm posting this now so you can have plenty of time to prepare - this isn't something a lot of cloth diapering families are going to be equipped to start overnight so I definitely wanted to give you time to prepare if you plan to join in on this challenge. Official sign-ups will be next month and I will be sure to share the sign-up link on the eLeMeNO-Pee Facebook page.

The official rules will be released then as well but they are generally always the same. The two most obvious rules being that you  must use flats and you must hand-wash.





Last year's rule list looked like this, for reference:


Materials Allowed

The following diapering items can be used:
• Any flat cloth diaper, store bought or handmade. A flat should be only 1 layer of material for easier handwashing and faster drying.
• 1 night time diaper per night of your choice although you are asked to make flats work for you (this diaper must also be handwashed)
• Doublers (not inserts meant to be absorbent enough to stand alone) if you absolutely must.
• A diaper sprayer.
Wet bags/diaper pails for storage.
• Handmade “washing machine” for diapers such as the camp style washer I made last year.
• Non Electronic Portable washing machines (must be powered by you and cost less than $100).
• Commercially available or handmade covers.
• Commercially available or handmade detergents.
• Snappi, Boingo, and Pins for closure.
• Pocket diapers STUFFED WITH FLATS. (note that the potential for repelling on the stay dry lining could make your challenge harder but you can see what happens)
• Homemade or store bought fleece liners.
• Iron (to use in order to expedite drying time or sterilize)

Materials Not Allowed

• Electronic washer/dryer.
• Pockets with inserts other than flats, AIO’s, Fitteds, Contours, Prefolds, AI2’s, etc.
• Flushable liners.

Rules for Everyone

• You cannot use your washer or dryer.
• If for some reason something arises and an exception is made you need to disclose in the Conclusions Survey or on your blog if you are a blogger.
• There is no limit on the number of flats or covers you can use. Should you purchase 100 flats for $100 and go a whole week without washing? No. Use your common sense on this one. As a tip, the more diapers in your camp washer/ sink/ tub the harder the washing will be.


So, what do you think? Do you plan to join hundreds of other families in this year's challenge? 


Thursday, March 20, 2014

The benefits of routine infant massage & how eLeMeNO-Pee can help!

The other day, I was visiting with my sister, who is expecting her first child later this year. She mentioned infant massage and asked what I thought about it, and thus, a blog post was born! It was something I did a handful of times when my daughter was tiny but I admittedly didn't do it nearly enough.

Image credit: Erin Keith (used with permission)
 

Most adults know that a massage is excellent for themselves and recognize how much better they feel after having one so it only  makes sense that our babies would love them, too! Infant massage is beneficial in many ways, the four biggest being: stimulating, relaxing, relief, and bonding/attachment.






infant massage USA expounds on those four areas with a helpful list of explanations for each of those four biggest benefits:

Stimulating

Stimulates all the systems of the body including the:
  • Nervous system
  • Circulatory system
  • Respiratory System
  • Elimination System
  • Immune System
Stimulates the release of oxytocin, known as the cuddle hormone (is released in both parent and child), prolactin (promoting milk production in the mother) and other endorphins.
Reduces muscle stiffness and normalizes muscle tone

Relaxing

  • Helps relieve tension built up from all the stimulation in the baby’s environment
  • Helps babies handle sensory stimulation and respond in a relaxed manner
  • Helps babies sleep better
  • Helps regulate sleep/wake cycle

Relief

  • Touch combined with vocalization helps reduce pain levels up to 80%
  • Helps tone digestive tract
  • Helps alleviate gas and promote elimination
  • Releases hormones for food absorption.
  • Releases endorphins, natural pain killers, to ease emotional distress
“Bonding is a unique relationship between two people. It is specific and endures through time.”M. Klaus

Bonding and Attachment

  • Infant massage draws on all the elements of bonding and attachment
  • Eye-to-eye contact, skin-to-skin, body scent, vocalization, taste, responsiveness
  • Hormones stimulated by infant massage promote bonding and attachment between parent and baby





eLeMeNO-Pee carries two excellent infant massage products. The first is the hosie naturals baby massage oil, one of the many all-natural products from the hosies line that we carry.







The second infant massage item we carry and highly recommend is the Earth Mama Angel Baby baby oil which is also comprised of all natural ingredients.






Image credit: Erin Keith (used with permission)


There are many ways to learn how to give a "proper" infant massage. There are many online tutorials, books, DVDs, and even in-person classes.  One thing is for sure, it's a great, age-old way to bond and relax with your baby and eLeMeNO-Pee would be honored to assist you with the products you need to properly administer an excellent infant massage!



Friday, March 14, 2014

eLeMeNO-Pee Rep Spotlight : Cayla Barrett

Cayla Barrett 
Goose Creek, SC  Consultant


Cayla is a stay at home mom and her husband is in the military.  They have an eight month old daughter (who wears cloth diapers, of course!).  She is from Georgia, and her hobbies include playing the flute (11 years), cooking, baking, thrifting, and doing anything eco-friendly. 


Who introduced you to cloth diapering? How old was your child when you made the switch?
I introduced myself to cloth diapering while I was pregnant, since I was looking for ways to save money and be Eco-friendly!  I LOVE it so much I decided to start selling them.


What was the first cloth diaper you purchased? 
The first diaper I purchased was a Bum Genious Freetime in Lovelace.  My daughter was 3 months old when I finally was able to switch full time, and hasn't been in a disposable at all since (even when we travel!). I fully intend to cloth diaper our next child from his/her first diaper. :) I'm obsessed.


What is your current favorite diaper? 
My current favorite diaper is a prefold in a Thirsties cover.  I love the simplicity and ease of washing it.

  
What led you to eLeMeNO-Pee?
I was led to eLeMeNO-Pee when my mom told me I should start selling cloth diapers and do parties like Mary Kay.  I laughed and told her I highly doubted there was a company like that...little did I know.  I googled it and eLeMeNO-Pee came up... I was so shocked and excited. 


What is one thing you want for your child's future? 
I want my child to grow up to be responsible, caring, loving, smart people who make a difference in the world.


If you could only read ONE book for the rest of your life, which would you choose? 
If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, I would probably choose the Bible because there is so much to read there!  


Do you have pets? Tell me about them if so! 
We have two dogs, one of which is a miniature daschund and yorkie mix, and the other is a sweet, energetic, super hairy and loving mutt from the pound.


Now that Spring is just around the corner, do you have any plans to start a garden -- vegetable and/or flower?
I would LOVE to start a vegetable garden, but unfortunately I do not have any space for a garden...I hope to have a yard for one next time we move!


To get in contact with Cayla for a personal consultation, you can visit her website : www.elemeno-pee.com/cayla 

Monday, March 3, 2014

Introducing: The Honest Company and the BIGGEST giveaway in eLeMeNO-Pee history!

If you follow our eLeMeNO-Pee Facebook page, you'll know that we just announced our newest brand in our product lineup: The Honest Company. We are VERY excited about this news and have already been hearing all the rave reviews about their products.

The Honest Company is notoriously popular in the natural parenting community for their disposable diapers and wipes. Even cloth diapering families admit to occasionally needing disposables -- whether it be for traveling, needing a back-up for when they're stripping the entire cloth diaper stash, or when they flat out just want to take a break. They're a much more natural disposable diaper and guaranteed to be free of chlorine processing, latex, lotions, fragrances, common allergens, phthalates, optical brighteners, PVC, heavy metals, organotins (MBT, DBT, TBT) & harsh petrochemical additives.

Not only are they better for baby and better for the environment than traditional disposable diapers, they are also insanely cute. Just look at the adorable print options (these change every few months so you never get bored of the same options!):



An exciting part about bringing on The Honest Company line of products is that we aren't just selling the diapers and wipes, we are carrying the entire line of products both in-store and online! Those additional products include sunscreen, vitamins, body wash, lotion, nipple cream, toothpaste, cleaning products (laundry detergent, multi-purpose cleaner, dishwasher detergent, window cleaner, etc), and SO much more.

Now that you know what The Honest Company has to offer, we have even more exciting news! 

Are you ready to hear about the BIGGEST giveaway in eLeMeNO-Pee history? 

For the entire month of March, eLeMeNO-Pee is participating in The Honest Company Suitestakes. One lucky winner will win over $1,300 in product, including a crib AND stroller!!! Yes, you read that right, it's valued at over thirteen hundred dollars! 






       






The full list of items to be given away:

  • one (1) Beco Baby Carrier (valued at $135.00 MSRP)
  • one (1) Baby Jogger Stroller (valued at $369.00 MSRP)
  • one (1) Cate and Levi Bear Hat (valued at $30.00 MSRP
  • one (1) b. box Diaper Caddy (valued at $60.00 MSRP)
  • one (1) Honeyami Organic Cotton Blanket (valued at $65.00 MSRP)
  • one (1) LAYERXLAYER Utility Tote (valued at $195.00 MSRP)
  • one (1) Manny & Simon Wood Toys (valued at $35.00 MSRP)
  • one (1) Babyletto Crib (valued at $369.00 MSRP)
  • one (1) Aden & Anais (valued at $55.00)



How exciting is that?! Entering to win is super easy and there is no purchase necessary to enter!  To enter, complete and submit the entry form provided in the store and accept the Official Suitestakes Rules. Limited to one entry per person. The Suitestakes will end on March 31st. Contest is for in-store customers only and the winnings will need to be picked up from our retail location in Lake Charles, LA. Items cannot be shipped to the winning entry. Participants must be 18 years or older.


Don't miss out on this super exciting launch of The Honest Company products and the HUGE giveaway they are sponsoring for our store! Make sure you stop in and fill out the form for your chance to win TODAY!